A drone at rest, used by ENAIRE to verify air navigation aids
• The organisation is testing drones as a complementary tool in the flight inspection of air navigation radio aids
• The project, which aims to optimise the technical operation of these systems, has involved multiple trials at different locations, most recently at Valencia Airport
• These trials mark further progress towards a phased deployment between 2026 and 2030, enabling more efficient maintenance and streamlined operations
ENAIRE, Spain’s national air navigation service provider, is driving technological innovation in its services by validating a receiver installed on drones to assess air navigation radio aid signals in flight. This initiative marks a step forward in the calibration of these systems and will help optimise and modernise the maintenance processes for systems that are critical to aviation.
As a certified provider of air navigation services under Regulation (EU) 373/2017, ENAIRE is responsible for operating a broad network of radio aids that guide aircraft through the various phases of flight.
These installations require regular checks both on the ground and in flight. Traditionally, in-flight checks have been carried out using aircraft specially equipped with highly accurate signal measurement and recording systems, with technicians on board. The current project is exploring the use of drones as a complementary tool for these tasks. This project should not be seen as a substitute for the flight inspection tasks that air navigation service providers carry out in accordance with procedures established by the International Civil Aviation Organization, but rather as a means of improving the efficiency of these checks and support potential pre-adjustments and additional verification tasks.
A drone in flight, used by ENAIRE to check air navigation aids
What is the solution designed to do?
The aim of the project is to give ENAIRE the future capability to use suitably equipped drones to complement and improve the current radio aid maintenance procedures at the facilities for which it is responsible. This approach would:
• complement—or, in certain cases, replace—some of the checks currently carried out using manned aircraft;
• support maintenance and calibration tasks prior to the commissioning of new installations;
• provide highly accurate data with greater operational flexibility.
Once the solution has been validated, ENAIRE expects it to bring significant benefits, including support for the routine maintenance of ILS and VOR radio aids, as well as more efficient use of flight inspection aircraft. It is also exploring further applications in areas such as GPS signal quality assessment, the analysis of other radio aids and interference detection.
Multiple trials
ENAIRE has conducted trials at a range of locations, including Logroño, Madrid, Vitoria, Valencia, Barcelona, Santiago, Vigo and Asturias. This puts the organisation at the forefront of technological innovation in the sector and strengthens its ability to compete and innovate.
Following this initial requirements phase, ENAIRE will begin the phased roll-out of the technology, with further trials, updates to operational procedures and its gradual integration into maintenance tasks under its strategic plan, Flight Plan 2030.
Drone at an ENAIRE radio aid facility
Greater efficiency, sustainability and safety
The introduction of drones will improve both cost and operational efficiency by combining technological innovation with more streamlined processes. Some of the checks currently carried out using flight inspection aircraft could also be performed by drones. Initially, they would act as a complement to existing resources, while over time ENAIRE would explore the possibility of gradually reducing the flight time required for inspection aircraft.
The technology will also enable faster, more flexible intervention, reducing downtime through earlier fault detection and minimising the impact on airport operations. Drones will be able to access complex areas or locations that are difficult for ground teams to reach, while carrying out highly accurate measurements.
Taken together, these capabilities strengthen service resilience and continuity, while opening the door to new business models and advanced air navigation services.
About ENAIRE
ENAIRE is the air navigation service provider in Spain.
As a company of the Ministry of Sustainable Transport and Mobility, it provides air traffic control services during the en route and approach phases of all flights to and from Spain and overflights. In addition, it manages communications, navigation and surveillance services from ENAIRE in the airspace and the entire AENA airport network in Spain and provides aerodrome air traffic control services in 21 airports, including the busiest.
ENAIRE is the fourth largest European air navigation service provider, and it is a member of international partnerships A6 Alliance, SESAR (Single European Sky ATM Research) Joint Undertaking, SESAR Deployment Manager, iTEC, CANSO (Civil Air Navigation Services Organisation) and collaborates closely with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization).
ENAIRE has obtained the highest rating in the key performance indicator for air safety at European scale for seven consecutive years, the last six with the maximum possible score of 100%. It has also been awarded the EFQM 600 Seal for its safe, efficient, innovative and sustainable management of air navigation services.